Summer 2026 Issue

Letters to the Editor
Social Work Today
Vol. 26 No. 3 P. 5

To the Editor,
Substance use disorders among pregnant and postpartum individuals are a growing public health concern in Minnesota, yet policy responses often create barriers to care rather than pathways to recovery. While mandatory reporting laws aim to protect infants, they can unintentionally discourage individuals from seeking prenatal care or substance use treatment due to fear of child welfare involvement.

As a social work student intern working with individuals affected by substance use and systemic barriers, I have seen how treatment-centered approaches improve outcomes for both parents and children. Programs that allow parents to remain with their children while receiving treatment provide stability, strengthen attachment, and support long-term recovery. These family-centered approaches reflect what research consistently shows: compassionate, evidence-based care leads to healthier families and communities.

Minnesota has made progress by emphasizing treatment referrals and coordinated care, but barriers remain. Administrative requirements, insurance authorization limits, and limited access to family-centered treatment programs continue to restrict care for those who need it most.

State policymakers should expand Medicaid funding for family-centered treatment programs, reduce administrative barriers, and strengthen treatment-focused responses to prenatal substance use. Supporting recovery during pregnancy is not only a healthcare priority but also an investment in Minnesota families and communities.

Compassionate policies that prioritize treatment over punishment can help ensure that parents and children receive the support they need to thrive.

Sincerely,
Samantha Doiron
Masters of Social Work Student, Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

To the Editor:
Re: Social Work Today Vol. 26 No. 1 P. 12
As a current Master of Social Work student, I often ask myself how applicable in-class learnings will be to my first days on the job. I wonder how accurate textbook scenarios are when working with people, as no two client families are the same, and no two social workers have the same experience. This is the first I have heard of VHS [Virtual Home Simulation] and must admit I am intrigued by the idea. I have had similar thoughts about a concept like VHS being helpful in fields like law enforcement and medical fields.

I do, however, wonder if by training social workers to complete risk assessments using virtual reality in class, we could inadvertently be training social workers to be hyper aware of “risk factors” as we enter the field, which could be increasingly harmful to our client families. I did like the idea, however, about showing a wide range of experiences, as mentioned in your article.

Thanks so much for spreading the word about such a cool resource!

Respectfully,
Riah Stewart, BS